The lack of interest in the fight did not deter the few hundred people who lined up as early as an hour before the 9 a.m. screening.

A few hundred were present at the time of the national anthem, with the Pinoys standing and applauding for the Lupang Hinirang before sitting down for the Mexican and US hymns.

"I'm still curious if Manny still has it.) Filipino Pride and all. I don't know anything about Vargas and I think it's kinda cheap (that he's Pacquiao's opponent)," said Sean Garibay, a Filipino-Canadian on vacation who is watching his first PPV fight on the big screen.

As Pacquiao entered the ring to the sound of applause, he still matters to a devout group of his countrymen.